I once loved a maid And I loved her so well that I hated all others who spoke of her ill But now she's rewarded me well for my pains For she's gone to be wed to another
When I saw my love to the church go with her bride-maidens she had a fine show And I followed on with my heart full of woe To see my love wed to another
Then I saw my love sit down to dine Isat down beside her and poured out her wine And I drank to the girl that should have been mine But she was now wed to another
The boys of the forest they ask it of me how many strawberries grow round the salt sea And I ask it them back with a tear in my eye How many ships sail the forest
Go dig me a grave I let you dig it so deep And cover it over with flowers so sweet And close my poor eyelids forever in sleep And maybe in death I'll forget her